Although my question is specific to Super User, I feel it does affect all the sites.

People come to the forum for advice, some times the advice given is not ideal.

For example, suppose someone had a computer issue and I proposed a solution. In this contrived example, my advice was to get a more powerful PSU and do something which would affect the warranty of the machine, which in turn, fried the entire machine and wiped the data etc.

Now, don't get me wrong, it's up the individual to know what they're doing IMO, but the advice someone has received from these sites has caused the issue (in this case, a broken computer). This issue could affect all the sites (where one could give programming advice which has undesired results could lead to wasted money or un-scalable applications, for example).

Is anyone concerned about this? I haven't read the T&C and we know, most people don't. Coupled with, I don't understand most T&C's / disclaimers any way, but, are we (the individuals posting answers) covered by any disclaimer on behalf of the SO sites?

I would say that it is the responsibility of the OP to think about the answers and any damage they might result in. Especially, if the OP is a professional working for a company (and should have prior knowledge)
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VegerJan 8 '13 at 15:47

I guess it's not on you, because the user should definately think for himself, what he is doing. For example, he should not delete the grub, If I say to delete it. He should question himself what and why he is doing.
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mtkJan 8 '13 at 15:48

@Veger, even if we think about it and give generally the best advice we can, sometimes, we get it wrong (if we miss-understood the question or the question wasn't clear, for example).
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DaveJan 8 '13 at 15:49

I'm hoping there is a dislcaimer when we sign up which says "any advice taken from the forum is up to the person asking the question to ensure is valid and will not break things". I would suspect the site takes no responsibility, but I doubt I'm part of the site!
–
DaveJan 8 '13 at 15:50

1

@DaveRook, exactly! The OP should realize this and check the provided answers (instead of blindly following the given advice)
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VegerJan 8 '13 at 15:50

It seems are all in agreement, but I wonder what the elves here who control it all think?
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DaveJan 8 '13 at 15:51

12

If there was any liability about community websites giving out stupid and dangerous advice then Yahoo Answers would've been taken down long ago.
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JonWJan 8 '13 at 15:51

This problem is considerably worse for us on The Workplace because many questions are related to career decisions and bad advice there can, well, have far worse consequences than a broken computer....
–
enderlandJan 8 '13 at 19:51

2 Answers
2

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Also:

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I think we're covered by the Terms of Service. See section 9. Limitation of liability (emphasis added):

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